"The Sun Never Sets on GM's Automotive Talent"

[john]

"Specifically, I asked Terry Woychowski, GM's vice president, vehicle
program management, this: "Does the GM CEO need to be a car guy?"

Woychowski, who has spent his career at GM and has more car-guy street
cred in his little finger than I will ever possess, said in very clear
terms: "No."

See, Woychowski knows something all of the pundits seem to have
forgotten: GM is chock full of car guys -- and a load of car gals too.

They fill the Warren Tech Center. They work every day at the Milford
Proving Grounds. They commute to offices in Germany, South Korea,
China and Australia. The sun never sets on GM's automotive talent.

From The Detroit News:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20100815/OPINION03/8150308/1148/auto01/Car-guys?-GM-s-got--em#ixzz0wh71WjAq

[john]

johnny douchebag gets his world news from Fox and his car news from
these two sites.

Just so you know which ones to avoid.

[Ignacio Shagnasty]

So you can copy and paste. I'll bet it took you 3 hours to learn that
concept.

Just FYI.


Save your coins. They need exact change when you take the bus.

[jim beam]

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty
So you can copy and paste. I'll bet it took you 3 hours to learn that
concept.
Just FYI.
Save your coins. They need exact change when you take the bus.

fixed title.

[dr_jeff]

Post by jim beam

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty
So you can copy and paste. I'll bet it took you 3 hours to learn that
concept.
Just FYI.
Save your coins. They need exact change when you take the bus.

fixed title.

Title was correct before. GM has a lot of automotive talent. Sadly, it
has been shown a lot lately in the US. But they do have it, espeically
in the market where they sell the most cars: China.

I fixed title for real.

Jeff

[Scott Dorsey]

Post by dr_jeff
Title was correct before. GM has a lot of automotive talent. Sadly, it
has been shown a lot lately in the US. But they do have it, espeically
in the market where they sell the most cars: China.

GM gets great ideas, then they don't follow through with them. A good
example was the Northstar System... great engine design, just had a few
minor problems that had some pretty severe consequences. Did they ECO
everything and make it right? They did not. They ignored them.

I am still amazed at the Cadillac CTS.... it is the first really good car
they've made in ages. It's a Cadillac but it actually drives and rides
like a real car; you can tell there is road underneath you. It's smooth
but it's not totally decoupled from the road. Folks who drive it like it.
So what did GM do? Did they promote the design team and put them in charge
of the rest of the GM line? They did not. They laid them off.

Sheesh. GM.
--scott

[Ignacio Shagnasty]

Post by Scott Dorsey

Post by dr_jeff
Title was correct before. GM has a lot of automotive talent. Sadly, it
has been shown a lot lately in the US. But they do have it, espeically
in the market where they sell the most cars: China.

GM gets great ideas, then they don't follow through with them. A good
example was the Northstar System... great engine design, just had a few
minor problems that had some pretty severe consequences. Did they ECO
everything and make it right? They did not. They ignored them.

One of GM's great ideas: Hey guys, let's all carpool to McDonald's and
order off the dollar menu.

Post by Scott Dorsey
I am still amazed at the Cadillac CTS.... it is the first really good car
they've made in ages. It's a Cadillac but it actually drives and rides
like a real car; you can tell there is road underneath you. It's smooth
but it's not totally decoupled from the road. Folks who drive it like it.

They don't know any better.

Post by Scott Dorsey
So what did GM do? Did they promote the design team and put them in charge
of the rest of the GM line? They did not. They laid them off.
Sheesh. GM.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[dr_jeff]

<...>

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty

Post by Scott Dorsey
I am still amazed at the Cadillac CTS.... it is the first really good car
they've made in ages. It's a Cadillac but it actually drives and rides
like a real car; you can tell there is road underneath you. It's smooth
but it's not totally decoupled from the road. Folks who drive it like it.

They don't know any better.

Not everyone has the same likes and dislikes as you. Just because you
don't like GM cars (I don't either) doesn't mean that they don't build
good products. Likewise, people who like the CTS know quality. They have
different taste than you, but not everyone has the same taste.

People besides Toyota build good cars. Get over it.

Jeff

[Ignacio Shagnasty]

Post by dr_jeff
<...>

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty

Post by Scott Dorsey
I am still amazed at the Cadillac CTS.... it is the first really good car
they've made in ages. It's a Cadillac but it actually drives and rides
like a real car; you can tell there is road underneath you. It's smooth
but it's not totally decoupled from the road. Folks who drive it like it.

They don't know any better.

Not everyone has the same likes and dislikes as you. Just because you
don't like GM cars (I don't either) doesn't mean that they don't build
good products. Likewise, people who like the CTS know quality. They have
different taste than you, but not everyone has the same taste.

Take a look at consumer reports and compare the reliability of the Japanese
vehicles to the American vehicles. I am not talking first six months but
3-4 years down the line. I am not spending $50k on a Cadillac CTS just to
replace it within 3 years when I can spend the same amount of money and keep
my Japanese vehicle for 10 years!

Post by dr_jeff
People besides Toyota build good cars. Get over it.
Jeff

[dr_jeff]

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty

Post by dr_jeff
<...>

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty

Post by Scott Dorsey
I am still amazed at the Cadillac CTS.... it is the first really good car
they've made in ages. It's a Cadillac but it actually drives and rides
like a real car; you can tell there is road underneath you. It's smooth
but it's not totally decoupled from the road. Folks who drive it like it.

They don't know any better.

Not everyone has the same likes and dislikes as you. Just because you
don't like GM cars (I don't either) doesn't mean that they don't build
good products. Likewise, people who like the CTS know quality. They
have different taste than you, but not everyone has the same taste.

Take a look at consumer reports and compare the reliability of the
Japanese vehicles to the American vehicles. I am not talking first six
months but 3-4 years down the line. I am not spending $50k on a
Cadillac CTS just to replace it within 3 years when I can spend the same
amount of money and keep my Japanese vehicle for 10 years!

I did not say that GM is great at implementing what their automotive
talent engineers and designs, rather, that they have good talent. IMHO,
I don't think that GM makes many cars that I would want. However, a lot
of people disagree with me about that. My point is that GM has good
automotive talent, and makes some good cars, both here and abroad.

I also don't like the things that come with GM cars, like their Onstar
system (I don't like XM satalite either, but I have it with my car). I
just don't like their designs or implementation. But that's just me.
Other people who have different tastes obviously love the cars. And more
people bought their trucks over the last few years than anyone else.

Jeff

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty

Post by dr_jeff
People besides Toyota build good cars. Get over it.
Jeff

[Ignacio Shagnasty]

Post by dr_jeff

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty

Post by dr_jeff
<...>

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty

Post by Scott Dorsey
I am still amazed at the Cadillac CTS.... it is the first really good car
they've made in ages. It's a Cadillac but it actually drives and rides
like a real car; you can tell there is road underneath you. It's smooth
but it's not totally decoupled from the road. Folks who drive it like it.

They don't know any better.

Not everyone has the same likes and dislikes as you. Just because you
don't like GM cars (I don't either) doesn't mean that they don't build
good products. Likewise, people who like the CTS know quality. They have
different taste than you, but not everyone has the same taste.

Take a look at consumer reports and compare the reliability of the
Japanese vehicles to the American vehicles. I am not talking first six
months but 3-4 years down the line. I am not spending $50k on a Cadillac
CTS just to replace it within 3 years when I can spend the same amount of
money and keep my Japanese vehicle for 10 years!

I did not say that GM is great at implementing what their automotive
talent engineers and designs, rather, that they have good talent. IMHO, I
don't think that GM makes many cars that I would want. However, a lot of
people disagree with me about that. My point is that GM has good
automotive talent, and makes some good cars, both here and abroad.
I also don't like the things that come with GM cars, like their Onstar
system (I don't like XM satalite either, but I have it with my car). I
just don't like their designs or implementation. But that's just me. Other
people who have different tastes obviously love the cars. And more people
bought their trucks over the last few years than anyone else.
Jeff

Now you're talking. GM might have good talent but they certainly have a lot
to learn about using it. They are so set in their ways, it will take them
years to change. A company that large moves very slow and if they don't
change quickly then they may be back in the same POT they were in two years
ago. I dislike the boxy design of the CTS and the cockpit looks cheap for a
very expensive car.

GM is certainly getting better but still has a long way to go and the
American people will take some time to come around. Of course others love
GM, Ford, and a few even like Chrysler but that's what makes the world go
round. I have XM in my car and like it because there are no commercials on
some channels. I have friends who would never get XM because they can get
FREE radio. Different strokes.

I had a Ford Bronco many years ago and it was in the shop constantly. I had
oil leaks, electrical problems and issues that I have put out of my mind.
During the last 2 months of warranty, I took the car in because of problems.
Ford said they were fixed but they were not. To make a long story short, I
sued Ford because they refused to correct the problems they caused while the
vehicle was in warranty and I won my case.

Since then I've had Japanese vehicles and have never been happier. The
Japanese cars just run and run. No major problems and just regular
maintenance. Money well spent.

[jim beam]

Post by dr_jeff
<...>

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty

Post by Scott Dorsey
I am still amazed at the Cadillac CTS.... it is the first really good car
they've made in ages. It's a Cadillac but it actually drives and rides
like a real car; you can tell there is road underneath you. It's smooth
but it's not totally decoupled from the road. Folks who drive it like
it.

They don't know any better.

Not everyone has the same likes and dislikes as you. Just because you
don't like GM cars (I don't either) doesn't mean that they don't build
good products. Likewise, people who like the CTS know quality. They have
different taste than you, but not everyone has the same taste.
People besides Toyota build good cars. Get over it.
Jeff

here's a clue about whether someone knows what they're talking about or
not - you know they don't when they try to defend g.m. "quality".

reality is, there's not a single component on a g.m. vehicle that's not
the cheapest crap it's possible to buy. and if even that cheap crap
isn't cheap enough and crappy enough for it to fail inside the design
mileage, they'll sabotage it so it will. cast iron crank shafts? got
it. micro-thin carburizing on the cam shaft? check. "v6" made from a
truncated v8, without even bothering to re-time the crank? all over it.
plastic coolant pump impellers? got the tee-shirt...

the list is long and cringe-worthy. i guess trying to defend the
indefensible is the kind of self-delusion and ignorance that is the very
meat of usenet, but why do they do it?

[Steve Walker]

Post by Scott Dorsey

Post by dr_jeff
Title was correct before. GM has a lot of automotive talent. Sadly, it
has been shown a lot lately in the US. But they do have it, espeically
in the market where they sell the most cars: China.

GM gets great ideas, then they don't follow through with them. A good
example was the Northstar System... great engine design, just had a few
minor problems that had some pretty severe consequences. Did they ECO
everything and make it right? They did not. They ignored them.
I am still amazed at the Cadillac CTS.... it is the first really good car
they've made in ages. It's a Cadillac but it actually drives and rides
like a real car; you can tell there is road underneath you. It's smooth
but it's not totally decoupled from the road. Folks who drive it like it.
So what did GM do? Did they promote the design team and put them in charge
of the rest of the GM line? They did not. They laid them off.
Sheesh. GM.
--scott

A few other bad choices, in my eyes anyways.

Pontiac Fiero V-6. Killed off.

Buick Grand National. Killed off.

GMC Syclone and Typhoon. Killed off.

Impala SS RWD in the 90's. Killed off.

Camaro. Temporarily killed off.

IIRC, all of the above were popular, but probably not enough volume in
sales, except for the ones they didn't build enough in the first place.

Try to buy any of the first three in good shape now. Bring lots of money.

[Ignacio Shagnasty]

Post by jim beam

Post by Ignacio Shagnasty
So you can copy and paste. I'll bet it took you 3 hours to learn that
concept.
Just FYI.
Save your coins. They need exact change when you take the bus.

fixed title.

Title was correct before. GM has a lot of automotive talent. Sadly, it has
been shown a lot lately in the US. But they do have it, espeically in the
market where they sell the most cars: China.
I fixed title for real.
Jeff

Sorry but you are in error. I had to fix the title again. GM has so much
talent, they build SHIT. Talent we don't want or need. Get over it.